Author: Maria Sparagis

As President of DirectPayNet, I make it my mission to help merchants find the best payment solutions for their online business, especially if they are categorized as high-risk merchants. I help setup localized payments modes and have tons of other tricks to increase sales! I am an avid traveler, conference speaker and love to attend any event that allows me to learn about technology. I am fascinated by anything related to digital currency especially Bitcoin and the Blockchain.

Average Fees for Credit Card Processing in 2025

Person swiping a credit card through a card reader at checkout

Average credit card transaction fees typically range from 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction. While this may seem like a small percentage, these fees can quickly add up – especially for small businesses processing high volumes. Here’s the reality: accepting credit cards isn’t optional anymore. Businesses that don’t accept cards are leaving money on the table. […]

Credit Card Decline Code 05: Do Not Honor (solution)

do not honor error code stripe credit card decline code 05

Is your store riddled with “Do Not Honor” messages? You’re not alone. These codes harm your business and can ultimately lead to account termination. A cleaner processing statement not only looks better but also improves your odds of getting better rates. These decline codes are also not card network-specific. They apply to Visa, Mastercard, Discover, […]

Split Testing for Pricing Will 10x Your Global Sales

The hand of a man wearing a suit holds a piece of chalk onto a chalkboard that says "Pricing Strategy"

I’ve seen countless businesses leave money on the table by using one-size-fits-all pricing. Let’s explore how strategic price testing across different regions can dramatically boost your conversion rates. OPTIMIZE YOUR CHECKOUT Geographical Price Testing I discovered throughout the years that geographical split testing for pricing can transform businesses. Companies implementing this strategy consistently see growth […]

Is Stripe Holding Money? How to Keep Your Business Alive

Business man holding a wad of cash

Your Stripe account shows held funds and you need answers ASAP. Let me walk you through exactly why this happens and the fastest way to get your business running again. AVOID ACCOUNT SHUTDOWNS Common Triggers for Stripe Fund Holds I see merchants facing Stripe holds every day, and understanding these triggers helps you avoid or […]

Shopify Sucks for 2025: The Shopify Transaction Fees Trap

Blue black ground with a four stacks of coins growing in height and wooden blocks that spell out “FEES”, one block on each stack of coins.

Shopify’s transaction fees are eating into your profits more than you realize. Let me break down why their fee structure creates significant challenges for growing businesses. SWITCH FROM SHOPIFY The Fee Trap Shopify’s rigid fee structure creates a costly trap for growing businesses in 2025. On the Basic plan, you’ll pay 2.9% + $0.30 for […]